Sony schools Microsoft on video game console pricing

By PATRICK SEITZ

In pricing their latest video game consoles, Sony (SNE) apparently learned from past mistakes, while Microsoft (MSFT) is ignoring the lessons of recent history.
Microsoft was able to leapfrog Sony in the video game market eight years ago by pricing its current-generation console, the Xbox 360, significantly below Sony's console, the PlayStation 3. The Xbox 360 started at $299 and the PS3 started at $499. Sony's PS3 was hobbled by its premium price and the fact that it hit the market in November 2006, a year after the Xbox 360 debuted.

[GamersWin]

You get what you pay for, Xbox one although a bit more pricey will be much better and Ps4 sell shit just like Ps3

[ShinMaster]

In what world is ANY of that even correct?

PS3 has outsold 360. PS4 is definitely a more appealing, more powerful and more affordable system.

[Rusty515]

The PS4 has better specs, less restrictions, and more AAA first party exclusives in the long run. More expensive doesn't always mean better. Silly child.

[SexyGamerDude]

Yeah, just look at how horribly the Wii did this gen. \s

Edit: I see you changed your comment from "Less expensive doesn't always mean better".

Now you're praising the PS4. Make up your mind.

[Rusty515]

@SexyGamerDude: I just realized something. The past few generations, the weakest console...sold the best

Ps1 (weaker) vs N64 and sega Saturn (stronger) = ps1 sold more
Ps2 (weaker) vs xbox and GameCube (stronger) = ps2 sold more
Wii (weaker) vs 360 and ps3 (stronger) = wii sold more
So does this mean...the Wii U still has a chance?

EDIT: And in reply to your updated comment, I always was praising the ps4. I just worded it wrong the first time. That's why I edited it...

[ShinMaster]

Weaker systems didn't sell more because they were weak. They sold more because they were more affordable and had more appeal. Just like PS1 and PS2.
Wii was also cheap and appealed to the casual masses.

[swishersweets20031]

@gamerwin this guy must be one of the "special" kids who fled the nuthouse.

[12345idk]

Xbox is down I repeat Xbox is down! Somebody call an ambulance!! wii u wii u wii u wii u

[FragMnTagM]

I don't care what you say, that's ^ funny right thar.

[Reborn]

"A bit more". That's a bit of an understatement.

They still got schooled. How does Microsoft make the same error that Sony made the gen before? Honestly. It's like MS know individuals like yourself will buy it, regardless of how bad their policies are.

PS: Change your name.

[chikane]

haha a mad lem

[kamisama]

Or in this case more expensive doesn't always mean better just because someone jacks up the price on something doesn't mean it's better if you go by that motto you must always get screwed

[Karpetburnz]

The reason why the Xbox one is more expensive is probably because the Kinect. That fanboy is just damage controlling cause he's butthurt that he's forced to pay for Kinect.

[BuffMordecai]

This is your mind on drugs.

[user5575708]

@GamersWin

obvious troll is obvious

[madpuppy]

Let's see GamersWin, appears out of nowhere, barely has a history this is his/her 15 comment ever on N4G. attacks the PS4 unreasonably and extols the nonexistent virtue of MS and the Xbone.

astroturfer maybe??

[Silly Mammo]

The delusion is strong with this one!

[GraveLord]

Don't be so mad. No need to troll Sony just because they humiliated your favorite company.

[SpinalRemains]

Do you honestly expect that anyone will read what you wrote, and not laugh in total disregard toward you?

You're either 12, mentally I'll, or just don't know anything about the Xbox One or PS4.

[Karpetburnz]

You get what you pay for? Psshh! Hahhaa

Is that what you Xbox fanboys said when the PS3 was $600 US at launch? Cause back then all You Xbox fans mocked Sony for releasing an expensive console. Besides PS4 is more powerful so your statement is bull. The reason why the Xbox one is more expensive would be because that Kinect is inflating the price, and you suckers will be forced to pay for it.

[goldwyncq]

Maybe you should change your username to TrollsSuck.

[Knightofelemia]

You go a head and enjoy not being able to play used games. You go a head and enjoy always being connected to the internet to play a game. You enjoy the fact that you buy a $60 game and it being worthless after the DLC and multiplayer get boring. Right now Sony has Microsoft by the balls and at E3 they dropped the bomb on the XboxOne. Right now as it stands the PS4 has blown the XboxOne out of the water. Microsoft has flipped the middle finger to their fans with the used game policy there is no way to fix that announcement.

[JW1080]

4>1. Sorry, had to type that at least one time.

[Silly Mammo]

Now all Sony needs to do is tell us what the release date is.

[darthv72]

that wasn't mentioned. I'm sure it will be by holiday season of this year.

as to the main topic, it reminded me of the Saturn and ps1 price reveals of 95. Saturn announced first at $399 then Sony fired back with ps1 at $299.

Sega never recovered. I will say though, it was rumored that ps4 would be between $399-599. perhaps Ms pricing helped them decide.

[Deep-throat]

This December

[IcicleTrepan]

man this site is so full of BS lately coming from both sides in a never ending fashion.

[KillrateOmega]

It's N4G, bro. During the year of a new generation of consoles.

What do you expect?

[dantesparda]

Ok, explain to me the bs coming from both sides that you have a problem with? And what the hell is wrong with people on this site thinking N4G is the only place with fanboys, THE WHOLE INTERNET, EVERY GAME SITE IS FILLED WITH FANBOYS. but people like to act like its only N4G

[NateCole]

Well i can't wait to get my PS4 to accompany my Wii-U. I won't even get a X1 if they give it out for free.

[Hufandpuf]

Don't lie.

[Docknoss]

PS4 May have a lower price but Xbox showed better exclusives hands down! DRM will In the long run bring allot of developers to Microsoft. MS payed for exclusives but Sony payed to not have DRM. Does anyone realise how many Developers went out of business in the last two years alone? To be competitive with all the other big games companies and developers pour money in on they're games just banking that it will sell well. But when you have Red Box, Gamestop, Borrowing from a friend, and Download Piracy it makes it hard to be a smaller company.

[Knightofelemia]

The DRM can also screw the developers as well. With a used game the developers make twice the cash on DLC, Addons and a product key. Say a new game the cost $60.00 for the game plus the addon pack is $5.00 plus DLC we'll say another $5.00. Thats $70.00 right there.When I trade the game in to Gamestop they take their cut. Now when a kid buys the same game but used. The developers makes we'll say $10.00 for the online pass to play multyplayer. Then there is $5.00 for the DLC on that used game plus another $5.00 for the addons there is an extra $20.00 on that same used game. Thats profit the developers are losing on that second hand game if they bring in the DRM.

[Docknoss]

I totally agree with your statement but games sold is the general acknowledgement that a game was a hit. It usually is the decision that the game will have a sequel. I still think that with all the facts I listed games sold is more of a total Net profit.

[Sharius]

funny that, that last gen they out-price MS and still manage to catch up and now they undercut MS and the whole xbone is fvck

[ElementX]

Well the Kinect is a 1080p camera and it's included in the price. The new PS Eye is 720p and $60? I dunno I guess it's a trade off. You pay more but you get a camera instead of having to purchase it separately

[dethpuck]

Exactly And devs can use it if they want to because they know everyone has one.